Prevention of Infection in Closed Fractures: Cefazolin Versus Vancomycin

Prevention of Infection in Surgical Treatment of Closed Fractures: A Comparative Study of Cefazolin Versus Vancomycin

The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence rate of infection in surgical patients with closed fractures treated prophylactically with Cefazolin versus Vancomycin in the peri-operative period.

The hypothesis of this study is that patients undergoing surgical treatment for closed fractures who are treated prophylactically with Vancomycin will have a lower incidence rate of infection than patients who are treated prophylactically with Cefazolin.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 18 years old and 85 years old
• Closed fracture
• Fracture treatment plan is for one operation on one day (one surgical setting)
• Likely to follow-up with surgeon until fracture is healed
• Ability to understand and agree to Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 18 years old or over 85 years old
• Open fracture(s)
• Fracture requires multiple operations
• Other injuries requiring operations
• Documented allergy to Cefazolin or Vancomycin
• Previous history of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
• Previous surgery on the injured extremity within 1 year
• Use of antibiotics within 2 weeks before or after injury
• Use of antibiotics within 2 weeks before surgery
• Unlikely to follow-up until fracture is healed
• Unable to understand and agree to Informed Consent